Rovers started the brighter of the two teams, dictating the tempo of the game in the early exchanges. Moorhouse and Jade Boulton were causing problems down either flank for the Leicester full-backs, combining well going forward and creating chances.

As Rovers’ dominance continued, they finally got their reward on the half-hour mark, when neat link-up play between Sara Noori and Hollie Kelsh found Strickland, who timed her run to perfection to fire low into the far corner.

Rovers continued to press and Boulton came close just before half-time with a stinging shot from the edge of the box, which forced a fine save from the Leicester keeper, with the ball heading for the top corner.

Both sides struggled to enjoy any decent spells of possession during the early stages of the second half, but Rovers managed to double their lead on 58 minutes. After forcing a corner, a pin-point delivery from Kelsh found the head of Moorhouse, who rose above her marker and directed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The goal sparked a reaction from the Foxes and on 65 minutes Brogan Jones picked up the ball 30 yards out and hit a well-struck shot into the top corner.

However, Rovers were rarely troubled from then on, despite struggling to find the cutting edge in the final third to kill the game off.

Manager Zac Foley said: “I was very happy with the start we made. We spoke before the game about how we needed to start imposing our playing style on opponents in the opening period of games earlier.

“I thought we dictated the tempo of the game in the first half and our movement off the ball was very good. Unfortunately we never really got going in the second half going forward, but managed to defend well.

“I still feel we haven't reached our full potential and in terms of performance we can definitely reach another level, but it’s been a great start to the season.”

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